The Unexpected

Yesterday I was having a normal day, I was at work when my phone rang. My phone announced that that Hubby was calling. I was excited that he was calling but I knew that he shouldn't be calling so I was immediately filled with concern. Harris told me that his knee had been injured so he would be coming home but he has a spot to come back to field training next year. His plane would be landing at 7:30 and I needed to be at the airport to pick him up.

After getting off the phone I had so many mixed emotions. My husband is coming home, that was exciting, I missed him. But he had been injured, I didn't know how bad it was. He wasn't able to finish field training, which was sad and frustrating. Was that going to delay everything? Would he have to be in school another year?

When Harris got to the airport to fly out he called and was able to tell me more information. He told me that his Field Training Officer called him into her office to tell him that she ranked him #1 in his flight! He was told that leaving because of his knee wouldn't effect his chances to become a pilot. Probably the most reassuring thing he said was that he would be POC. Basically what that means it won't put him back a year. He will be able to continue on in the ROTC just like he had finished field training and next summer he will go back.

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Harris told me just to pick him up from the curb, I was fine with that so I wouldn't have to pay for parking. But when he was still waiting to get off the plane I parked so I could see him sooner. He called right as I was parking and said he was on his way to the baggage claim. I ran through the airport to meet him. My mixed emotions were gone and I was so excited that I was about to see him. I looked up to see if I could see him coming down the escalator... I couldn't. I looked over to the baggage claim to see if I could see him... I couldn't. I looked back and forth until I spotted him. I started running again-- he saw me and started going to meet me. It was wonderful to be in his arms again. I had missed him so much.

On the way home Harris shared so many stories and experiences he had from field training. He was doing so well and making new friends. He wished he was able to stay there and finish. I wish he was able to as well. Yes I missed him and am glad he is home but he needs to complete field training and he was doing so well.

Field Training Begins

It was Memorial Day 2012-- Harris and I were texting, we were dating at the time. I was visiting my grandpa, a WWII vet. Harris asked me what I thought about the military, a fitting question being it was Memorial Day. We were getting more serious, I dreamed about having a future together. I was trying to read into his text. Did he want to join the military? I loved our country but didn't think I could be a military wife. The truth was I had specifically said multiple times that I could never marry someone in the military. So in my text I said something about how I respected military members and asked why he wondered. He said it was because he has a lot of family who served in the military and then listed off family members who were in the military. That first text started me thinking. Could a marry someone in the military? Would I be willing to marry Harris if he was in the military?

A few months later, after we were engaged Harris' brother talked to him about joining the Air Force. By that time I was willing to marry someone in the military. I was willing to be with Harris even if there would be long separations. I would do this because I loved Harris and I loved our country.

I remembered this last night as I was helping Harris get ready for Field Training. I knew it was going to be hard.

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Yesterday I left work early so I could help Harris get ready. I cut his hair, sewed on his name tapes (and by the way those are so hard to sew on, I will have pay someone to do it next time. I don't even care that I am going to be a sewing teacher. My finger is still sore from pushing the needle through so many layers of fabric.) I did a late night run to Walmart to, cut cables (threads) and pressed his blues. While I did all of this I tried not to let Harris see the tears that would come to my eyes every once in a while. I was trying to be strong. I didn't want Harris to worry about me while he is gone.

Sewing on name tapes

As Harris was packing I could tell he was nervous. His brother was over quizzing him, which just made Harris more nervous.  He was stressed about getting everything packed as well as trying to quickly recall the information he had studied as Nathan drilled him.

After getting everything packed perfectly and ready to go Harris and I went to bed a little after midnight. We got just 3 hours of sleep so we could get to the airport on time. It was a long ride to the airport knowing that my husband would be leaving. But I stayed strong. I didn't cry. At the airport we said our goodbyes. As I watched him walk away I started to cry.

Harris and I have never been without each other for more than a week since we had met. Since we have been married it has just been weekends-- and those weekends where we had been apart we were able to text or call each other. But this time Harris would be gone for 23 long days. With only hand written letters. I couldn't hold it anymore, and I let the tears come and sting my eyes.

Work today was also a struggle. Memories of us and him would sneak in and bring a bitter-sweetness feeling with them.  I would think of things that I wanted to share with him after work. But then remembered I couldn't. At these times tears would come to my eyes and I would try to not let them fall.

The highlight of today was a call I got from Harris when he was in Dallas on a layover. I was so giddy when my phone rang and I knew it was him. I had hoped he would be able to call, and he had! It was wonderful to hear his voice. He told me that he studied a lot on the plane and he feels ready for field training. Knowing that he feels more confident helped me to be a little happier.

I love Harris and can't wait for him to come back. Let the count down begin!